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Pastoral activities of the Metropolitan Epiphanios of Mantineia and Kynouriatranslated

July 19, 2026 · 1 min read

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Mantineia and Kynouria Mr. Epiphanios went to the mountain village of Agios Ioannis Kynourias, where he performed an autopsy at the Holy Church of Timiou Prodromos. His Eminence was accompanied by the Mayor of North Kynouria, Mr. Georgios Kambylis, the Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities, Ms. Marina Papadimitriou, the vicar of the parish, Fr. Georgios Arfanis, as well as the members of the Ecclesiastical Council of the Holy Church. On Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 July, His Holiness made a pastoral tour of South Kynouria, examining issues concerning church life and the operation of the parishes in the region.

On the afternoon of Thursday, July 16, he officiated at the solemn Vespers at the Holy Church of Agia Marinis Xiropigados, flanked by the Patriarch of the Holy Metropolis, Panosiol. Chief Stefano Cappe, as well as from local clergy. During the service he preached the divine word to the congregation.

On the day of the feast of Saint Martyr Marini, Friday July 17, His Eminence officiated at the Orthros and presided over the Solemn Divine Liturgy at the celebratory Church of Saint Marini...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Христо Василев

Χαίρομαι που ο Σεβασμιώτατος Επιφάνιος και στο Άγιο Ιωννη Κυνουρίας να δει πότο το Άγιο Ιωνη το Προδρομος. Καλο είναι που ελληνικά και ο δήμαρχος Καμπύλης και η archæologos. I hope that the work will progress, because such places need care.

Ion Popescu

I am glad that the Bishop went up to Agios Ioannis Kynourias to see with his own eyes the condition of the church of St. John the Baptist. It's good that the mayor Kampylis and the archaeologist lady were there too, things move faster that way. I hope the work starts sometime, that place deserves care.

Богдана Митева

I agree with you Christo. Good that you also went to Agios Yani, the church there really needs some care, especially the roof. I wonder if the archaeologist has suggested anything specific about the restoration.

Мариана Петкова

It is good that Bishop Epiphanius personally went to Agios Iannis and saw the church of St. John the Forerunner. It is good that both the mayor Kambilis and the archaeologist Marina Papadimitriou were there - that way it will be easier to move something with the roof and the restoration. I wonder if they also talked about southern Kynuria after that, because the parishes there also need attention.

Виолета Попова

Yes Mariana, a personal visit to Agios Ioannis will definitely speed things up with the roof. I, on the other hand, am glad that he also went to the southern part - there in some villages there are few people and the priests have a hard time. What do you think, will they do something concrete for the church of St. Marina after the holiday?

Атанас Николов

Yes, Violeta, a personal visit to Agios Ioannis will really help with the roof repair - I've seen the pictures, the tiles are quite worn. For St. Marina, I think that after the holiday they will start cleaning the yard and maybe painting the fence, as happened last year in the neighboring village. Did you hear anything specific from the people there?

Тодор Кирилов

Yes, Athanas, the tiles really look bad, especially on the north side. After the holiday in Xuropigada, I heard that they will also replace some beams on the roof, not only cleaning the yard. Are you going fishing there these days?

Γιώργος Παπαγεωργίου

It is good that His Eminence went up to Agios Ioannis Kynourias and saw the church of the Holy Prodromos up close together with the mayor Kampylis and the archaeologist. I hope the work goes quickly, because the tiled roof that is gone is a shame. Also, nice that he officiated at Agia Marina Xiropigadou, the evening must have been beautiful.

Богдана Николова

Yes, Mariana, going to Agios Ioannis in person with the mayor and the archaeologist is the best way to see in person what the roof is like. I wonder if they have also discussed the needs of the priests in the south - in some villages it is already difficult to maintain a regular service. Have you heard anything about this?

Богдана Тодорова

Yes, Athanas, the photos from Agios Ioannis do show that the north side of the roof is the worst - the tiles there are almost in pieces. Regarding St. Marina, I heard from a woman from Xuropigada that after the holiday they will start with the fence, but first they will fix the fountain in the yard because it is flowing. Are you going to the service next Sunday there?

Νίκος Σταθόπουλος

I agree George, good that he went up there with Kampyli and Papadimitriou. The church needs fixing before more tiles fall. Have you seen anything new about the work schedule?

Φωτεινή Παναγιωτοπούλου

Good evening Nikos, indeed the church needs immediate work to prevent more tiles from falling. I haven't seen a newer timeline yet, but I heard that the Ephorate will start a study soon. You who are closer, maybe you learned something from Fr. Georgios?

Νίκη Παππά

Nikos, indeed the Metropolitan went up there with Kambyli and Papadimitriou, good thing he did. Father George told me that they are waiting for the approval of the study first before the scaffolding goes in. You who often talk to the mayor, did he tell you something about the funds?

Росица Петрова

Yes, Bogdana, personally going to Agios Ioannis with the mayor and the archaeologist is really the most practical way - that way you can see both the roof and the walls up close. About the priests in the southern part, I did not hear anything concrete this time, but I know that in some villages they already come from neighboring parishes. From whom did you hear about the difficulties there?

Георги Иванов

Yes, Todore, the shingles on the north side are quite worn, you can see them from the road. I also heard about the beams, it would be good to fix them before the rains. I'm going over to Xuropigada on Saturday afternoon, weather permitting, I might even cast from there - when do you plan to go?

Σπύρος Μιχαηλίδης

Well said George, Agios Ioannis is a long and difficult road, so it deserves to have climbed up there. I hope they find a way to fix the roof first because the missing tiles are letting rain and moisture in. Did you go to the vespers of Agia Marina this year?

Αντώνης Οικονόμου

Niko, you are right, it needs to be fixed quickly before it gets worse. I heard from Fr. George that they are waiting for the money from the Region to start. You who often fish up there, what did you think of the church up close?

Елена Петкова

I agree Violetta, coming to Agios Ioannis in person will really get the roof repair going - the roof tiles are in a terrible state. For the church of St. Marina, I hope that after the holiday they will also take care of the internal cleaning, because there is always a lot of dust collected from the mountain. Do you go to vespers on Thursday?

Yes Spyros, the road to Agios Ioannis is indeed difficult, that is why I am glad that Despotis went up together with George Kambylis and Mrs. Papadimitriou. I hope they proceed quickly with the roof, last year I saw the tiles falling next to the church. I didn't make it to the vespers of Agia Marina this year, did you go?

Δήμητρα Παπαγεωργίου

Yes Spyros, the missing tiles are damaging, last year when my husband and I went to the festival we also saw moisture in the walls. I went to the vespers of Agia Marina, there were many people and the Despot spoke simply and nicely. How did you spend this year?

Красимира Василева

Yes, Bogdana, the north side really looks the worst, the tiles there are literally broken. The fountain in the courtyard of Xuropigada has been running for years, it's good that they will finally fix it before the fence. I won't be able to next Sunday, but if you go, let me know if they've started the work yet.

Γιάννης Μακρής

Niko, I agree, they should not delay the fixing any longer. Last year when I went fishing in the river nearby, I saw that the south side of the church has cracks that can be seen from afar. P. Georgios, when do you think this money will finally arrive from the Region?

I agree with you, Rosice, the personal visit with the mayor and the archeologist gives the clearest picture - last year I was in a similar inspection of the roof in our parish and I immediately saw where it was leaking. Regarding the southern part, I heard that Father Georgi from the neighboring village already serves two or three parishes, but I don't know how long he will last. What do you think, should another priest be appointed there?

Yes, Todore, going personally with the mayor and the archaeologist really gives the clearest idea - last year I also had such an inspection in our church in Ruse and it was immediately clear where there was a problem with the beams. For Southern Kinuria, I think that one more priest is really needed, because Father George cannot split himself into three parishes and go everywhere. What did you hear specifically about his workload?

Κατερίνα Αναγνώστου

Well said Dimitra, the humidity on the walls is the worst. Last year I also went to the vespers and I liked that Despotis spoke without many words. How did you find the crowd at the festival this year, less than last year?

Μιχάλης Κωνσταντίνου

Well said John, those cracks are really worrying. Last year when I also went skiing in Mainalo, I passed by the village and saw that the south side has started to "open up" even more. P. Georgios, do you know if the Ephorate of Antiquities has already submitted the technical report?

Стефан Марков

Yes, Georgi, that's right - a personal visit with the mayor and the archaeologist always shows things more realistically, like when we were with my parish priest in the mountains above Varna and we realized that the roof was flowing right over the altar. For Father George, I agree that three parishes are many; I heard that he often travels late at night, especially in winter on those roads. Do you think the Metropolitan will appoint someone else soon?